Inspire, Summer 2007

16 Summer 2007 Inspire 17 Feature : re : v i ew Feature Alumni Review re:View Q: Why did you choose re:View for your student ministry? Callan: We felt a Christian worldview study would be a great way to begin our youth group sessions after a late- summer break. Mahl: In an ever-changing world, our students need to have the tools to know how to engage the culture. re:View provided those tools, and our students came away from the study equipped to view culture through the eyes of Christ. Q: Describe the format of the study. How did you use re:View with your students? Callan: The format was easy to use. We generally would show the film, discuss it with the teens, and then show Dr. Brown’s teaching segment. Due to our half-hour study time, we only used the leader’s guide with questions for them to answer and comments for discussion. Q: What leader resources accompanied the worldview study? Mahl: We used the website, www.re-films.com , but also found the DVDs, the director’s comments, the music and movie reviews, and the message board helpful. Q: How did you prepare for each lesson? How much time did it take? Callan: We watched the film, the directorial comments, and the teaching segments. Using the teaching scripts, we added our own ideas/experiences to the lesson. Mahl: We found preparation took about two hours per lesson. Q: How did your students respond to re:View ? Callan: The teens were definitely into it! They looked forward to each film and discussion time. Mahl: Our teens also really liked the films. The films challenged the students to think beyond the surface. They also enjoyed the exercises and the teaching segments from Dr. Brown. Q: Could you share a specific example of how re:View made an impact with your students? Callan: A couple of our teens shared recent experiences with peers who held the same worldview that we had studied. It was neat to see them enlightened a bit about why that person acted and said the things they said. Mahl: Many students came away from the study saying they had always taken the “retreat” approach to culture. “Run far away from it because it’s evil.” They found through the study that they could use culture much like Paul used the culture in Athens to reach the masses with the gospel of Christ. Q: What were the greatest benefits you saw from the study? Callan: We felt our teens were very open with our discussion about how culture has an effect on them personally every day. And it was great to see them realizing that they can’t and shouldn’t run from culture, but that they can discern culture from the biblical worldview. It was also good to see those who had been sheltered from much of pop culture look at our opportunities to engage it and speak out for truth! Mahl: Our students were challenged to think biblically about the world around them. Q: Overall, what are some of re:View ’s strengths? Callan: re:View is very engaging and interesting, as well as real and pertinent to teens! Mahl: We agree with the Callans — the material is relevant and entertaining. It is so full of timeless truth. Q: If you had to describe re:View in one sentence, what would it be? Callan: The re:View study is an effective teaching tool that teaches young people to discover various worldviews and engage our culture while discerning God’s truth. Mahl: Again, the study is relevant and also necessary for teens to hear and life changing. Q: Would you recommend this study to others? Why? Callan: We would definitely recommend the study — for all of the positives we shared above. Mahl: The reality is that every student is a product of his or her culture. For too many years, Christians have run from culture or begun to look just like it. This study shows students the importance of knowing what to believe and why to believe it. It teaches students to engage rather than run or simply assimilate. discern culture know truth a new resource for your student ministry To learn more about using re:View with your group, visit www.re-films.com. Alumni who order re:View online can receive a 20% discount by entering “CUALUMNI” as the promotional code. The first time you watch re:View , you’ll know it’s different. Designed to be completely cutting-edge and relevant, re:View is Cedarville University’s revolutionary worldview study for high school and college student ministries. The series captures students’ attention through creative short films that are followed by engaging teaching segments led by Cedarville president Dr. Bill Brown. Through the study, designed to be presented in 7 or 13 weeks, students learn how to discern the culture around them and engage it in a godly way. Recently, Inspire had the opportunity to talk with two alumni couples who have used re:View with their student ministries: J.D. ’85 and Karen Mathews Callan ’85 used re:View at Calvary Baptist Church in Xenia, Ohio, and Aaron ’02 and Teressa Adams Mahl ’03 used the series at Patterson Park Church in Beavercreek, Ohio. They shared their experiences with the study and how their students responded. I